Treatments for Heart Attack

The treatment of a heart attack involves emergency medical care before and after reaching the hospital. Initial care includes oxygen therapy to increase amount of oxygen to the heart muscle, and medications to help open blood vessels and increase blood flow to affected area. After you are stabilized, recovery and management includes medications, lifestyle changes, cardiac rehabilitation and/or cardiac surgery to help recovery and prevent future heart attacks.

The goals of treatment are to restore blood flow to the heart muscle and prevent another heart attack.

It is likely you will have a health care team that is made up of doctors, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists, and other health professionals. It is important to maintain contact with your medical team, adhere to recommended treatment, and go to any recommended appointments.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

How is a heart attack treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/heartattack/treatment.html. Updated December 17, 2013. Accessed April 10, 2014.